West
Vale Branch |
Progress at last! The bridleway diversion at Steppingstone Lane Bridge has been completed to an acceptable standard. A meeting was held at the bridge site on Saturday 4th May with the Bridleways Officer for the Vale and approximately 20 concerned members of the local community. It was agreed by all attending that the diversion was to a good standard but that the hard core sections may need to be extended when the uncovered sections cut-up in wet weather. The Branch have agreed to extend the hard core at a convenient time during the summer. It was also agreed that when there was actual work in progress on the site, red flags would be flown that could be seen from a good distance when approaching from Bourton or Station Road, to give clear warning to horse riders. We were exceptionally pleased to open the new route during the meeting, when two conveniently passing riders directed their mounts along the diversion. The extant bridleway route will remain open for the time being allowing riders the choice. Clear notification will be given when this option closes.
The following Saturday saw Branch members getting down to the task of excavating the bridge site itself, without disturbing the bridleway surface at this stage. We made a lot of progress (with only 5 volunteers) and uncovered both the north-west and north-east wing walls including the end abutments. The north-east wing wall even included the bottom 4 to 5 feet of the original arch! We also managed to lower the water level between the dams by over a foot but this was slow due to the failure of our large pump, and making do with our small one. None the less, very pleasing!
All this work at Steppingstone has meant that we have not managed much work at the Canalside Park. We plan to rectify this by working one evening per week (Wednesday) to cut the grass and trim the hedges, plus generally tidying up. Any assistance will be gratefully received.
For more information or to volunteer assistance please come along to one of our meetings held in the Shrivenham Bowls Club, Martens Road, on the second Wednesday of every month at 8 p.m. You will be made very welcome. For those with a computer and Internet access please visit our Branch Web Site at www.westvalecanal.fsnet.co.uk.Orph Mable - Branch Project Co-ordinator
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